Workshop Feedback
Testimonials
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Thank you for sharing this with us. What an Inspiration!! God Bless you and Keep up the good work!
Cyndi
Jenny
11-4-95
Dear Bittin,
Thanks for your interest in our program, and also the kind referrals you gave me.
I look forward to meeting you. Please keep up the very exciting and wonderful work you are doing on behalf of humanity.
Regards,
Maureen Del Giacco
3-14-95
Hi Bittin,
I've read numerous times about your artwork, accomplished in spite of a head injury. I'm a head injury with artistic abilities. I read in a recent CHIF newsletter that you're setting up art workshops around Colorado and that you intend on having a workshop in the Springs this spring. I would like to be involved in
Thank You & I'm expecting to hear from you.
Sincerely,
Douglas Thurberg
May 24, Wednesday
Dear Bittin,
How have you been doing. I am just fine. I realy had a interesting night learning the different ways to create art. I hope you will be back in town soon. So you can teach us more art projects because I think you have a lot of artistic ability! Please write back if you can.
P.S. Send me a pitcher of you
Dear Bitten-
Hope you like the photos! Thanks again for all you've done. Good luck with all your worthwhile projects.
Cindie Johnson
Owens Community College
Eyes like the sea
On whose waves one becomes lost
As the tide drags you out into the depths
You feel enveloped?
12/26/96
Dear Bitten,
Thank you for the beautiful painting. Thank you for being such a great friend. I hope you had a great Christmas day.
I received some Chinese balls for my hands. So I work with them a lot. In fact I'm using them right now while I right this thank you note to you.
I also received a beautiful picture from my nieces and nephew w/ a cool frame, made with different color puzzle peices it's real cool. But I Love the picture you gave me with the two birds embarrassing each other.
Heather gave me a KISS rock shirt. I made out, I also got a tool box from Mom and Dad.
Hope you get everything you wanted.
PS Have a wonderful New Year.
Love You Bitten
Take Care
Anthony
April 21
Dear Bittin,
I just received a note from Helen Dyke, telling me a little about your upcoming showcase of your clients talents. Bravo for you!
If you will tell me when it'll be-or I can call Hilltop or Workfit, wherever it is-I'll make it my business to see their exhibition. Helen says marvelous things about you, and says you're doing wonderful things.
I'm a rehab counselor, so am well aware of the emotional, physical, and psychological effects of head injuries. How terrific that you've given them an avenue for self expression and worth-building. Bless your heart, Bitten. Call when you're in town?
Hugs,
Ruth Greenberg
12-29-95
dear bittin,
i would like to personally thank you for allowing me the opportunity to participate in the Growing-Through- It workshop last year. To me it is a Tangible Sign of Growth & Healing and hopefully a message to others to not give up.
i would like to help you in a tangible way. enclosed is $100.00 to assist in any way you may need it1 for expenses, for supplies, for whatever. You have been an inspiration to me-keep shining that light around!
Happy Holidays & Many Blessings on your journey!
Love, peace, joy-
keith benedict
Dear Bittin,
Thank you so much for being a guest on "AMSaturday."
I think the segment worked well and I wish you success in your future workshops.
Once again, thank you.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Zunk, producer
Toledo 11, The News Channel
10-4-95
Poem on Card: "Eyes of the Forest"
Feel the crisp clear night?
The moonlight dancing on the ice crystals that were formed on the evergreen
branches?
There in the still of the night hides the wolf.
The Eyes of the Forest.
Dear Bittin,
Just a note to say; "Thank You" again for all your help and support. Your generous spirit comes through in so many ways. You have been so kind with your notes, warmth, and, of course, the physical, artistic, and emotional support during the T-Shirt Workshop. You are so good at seeing needs and addressing them. We certainly couldn't accomplish what we all do in the workshop without your help.
I don't know where Stafford, VA, is. Is it close to Virginia Beach? You might enjoy visiting the Association for Research & Enlightenment in V.B. When I visited a number of years ago I found the grounds defunct, but there were many interesting people to meet-they would enjoy meeting you, too. Thanks. Take Care.
Love,
Brenda
Ms. Foster,
Enclosed is the payment for the painting I bought at M.V. Your art will someday be enjoyed by all. Thank You!
Good Luck
James Thompson( Brother Of Spring)
Dear Bittin,
Thank you so much for the privilege of participating in the Art/Poetry Project "Life Triumph." I'm doing good-still dealing w/unresolved attention deficits.
Take Care, Love, Peace, Joy-Kate
Poem On Card:
Special Thoughts Of You
"Light is shed upon the righteous and joy on the upright in heart."
PSALM 97:11
You're a special friend
Who is appreciated so?
You're the kind of person who is a joy to know.
Thank You
For Your Friendship
For Bittin & Kay & Pops Foster?
Martin Jacob, Deb & Ed Huntzinger, Ben Caroll, Bobby Denniso. Gerry Aster,
P. Bright Taylor, Sue Emerine, Connier Cummings, Joann Nunell, Curtis Thompson, Jef Gothz, Ed Shew, Donn Cooper, Jeff Geneber & Jude
July 24, 1995( letter sent on 9-13-95)
Dear Bittin,
Thank You for the notice about your art exhibit at Sufficient Grounds. I am going to be out of town for the opening but will certainly see it after I get home on the 14th. Sounds as if you are doing interesting and exciting things. Can't wait to see them.
Good Luck!
Fondly,
Jaqueline
11-22-95
Dear Bittin,
Thank you for your amazing work in bringing out the strength and beauty in others. I wish K.C. could have participated more in the project. He was touched by you and by the workshop. I wish to share the photos and the story of the art piece with K.C.'s Relatives in MS. I've Eclosed $ 2.00 for 5 additional photos.
Thank you. Happy Holidays.
Carol Avery
Bittin,
With Christmas approaching
and a brand new year,
it feels like I've begun-
Just begun a brand new life.
I feel like a babae
in my fresh, clean world
and await adventures and conquests
No matter what kind.
I'll enjoy each moment
as it takes ahold
and relish its taste in my heart.
That must be why I chose to survive!
Now, Christmas will have meaning!
And feeling and depth, and value, too!
Merry Christmas to all alive!
Wishing you and your family peace and happiness during this holiday season.
May 1995 be safe and prosperous.
This card was created by brain injury survivors. The Colorado head Injury Foundation provides information, resources, support, and advocacy to over 3,000 survivors of brain injury and their family members each year. Please remember the Colorado Head Injury Foundation in your holiday gift giving this year. 5601 S. Broadway, #350, Littleton, CO 80121
The Poet
Rennie Hart. 41 years old, survived a hang glider crash 16 years ago sustaining a brain injury. It took him smonths to begin talking and about a year to begin walking. He has always been interested in the arts, He is a photographer and a poet. He is a father of a 17 year old son.
The Artist
Leslie J. Whited survived a 70ft. front end roll over off Lookout Mountain in May of 1990, receiving a closed head injury. Leslie is a graphic artist and the mother of a delightful 8 year old daughter.
May 28, 1995
Dear Bittin,
Your Exhibit was a huge success!! Enjoyed it so!! Thank you!
So sorry I couldn't get to any of your workshops and feel terrible that you were so "stood up" by all here in Aurora. It's a nuthouse to me, too, here. A drag! I'm convinced the Dr's, and agency people here should be splitting logs somewhere?
Am making plans to settle my "last" accident the second in six years, ( Think I'll drive a horse and cart, Somewhere quiet.) Not a city-type anyway. A cottage by the sea is for me.
Please stay in touch. My daughter Lauren is in D.C., but wants to go to San Fran. Maybe we have Gypsy Blood? Whatever this restless spirit is? Will phone you about your "final ( in Colorado) bow" workshop. Hope it's not 6/10& 11 Art Students league having a Summer Art Market and I hope to sell some things.
Be well- Take care! Talk to you next week
Thanks Again and especially for calling Heidi. It was Grand!!
Luv,
Maureen Devers)
Aurora, CO
PS
I particularly loved Dave( is it Loman?)'s poem Asked him to copy but he looked doubtful-All was wonderful and the Art so unique!!
Well she's having, too, so that she won't work
Guess I'm excited at thought of being w/loved ones and of leaving "Cultural Wasteland" -as a cousin calls it here FINALLY!
The Lyceum
Alexandria's History Museum
Alexandria, Virginia
Bittin,
I am working here now. My life is always changing. Thank you so much for the Art Project. I loved it all-Yes I will pray for you.
Tim
Nov. 24, 1993
Bittin,
Hi! I read your book, it is so close to my recovery, that it scares me. I spent 5 weeks In coma, but my recovery was sort of like yours. I see a lot of me in your book. When I awoke I spent 3 months not knowing those wonderful people who came to see me, in reality they were my parents. You can write me to ask about the similarities. I paint (colors only), I sketch (coyotes mainly), I write poems and stories, once in awhile I start cross stitching. I just have some artistic wants in my life. I love coyotes and falcons.
I would like us to write to each other, for it seems we have a lot in common. Any time I know someone who has survived such a traumatic experience. I'm very pleased with life and encouraged to try to teach others to be safe. I'm just rambling and II beg your forgiveness. To write someone I've never met is very strange to me.
In May of '94 I'm out of here, so I will keep your address and write as often as I can. I'm going to college right now.
Bye,
Shannon Tucker
Jan 19,1994
Dear Beloved Bittin,
It was of those head injury places I've been too. All the peole that went to C-NET have been moved to You/-Horn. Lena goes to book horn and she was my old girl friend. She has been in a wheelchair ever since her accident. She will walk.
How are you. Hope everything is well with you.
I'm in business. Photography and matting is what I do. I go to the university at the camera store and buy supplies like going to give you my business card. Tree to Tree I will get it here.
Love,
Wili
Dear Bittin,
How are you doing? I wish I was there with you where ever there may be. I'd really like to thank you for your letter and pictures you sent me! They were the only pictures I had but I showed them to my attorney and he asked to take tthemm with him to show in court. I let him take them and still feel like I made a good choice but it was kind of sad because now their not here. Hopefully I'll be out soon and can have them to look at all the time. I've enclosed a small drawing I did because I thought you could improve upon itas a painting or that when I'm out you and I could do a paper machete project of it because its kind of how I felt after my injury and definitely how I hope to fell after I get out of here. The rose is my way of saying that I may be in prison but the prison doesn't have to be in me. I felt it might also offer a message of hope to headinjured people who are just learning how to cope within their new perimeters and boundaries whether it be a wheelchair or memory issues r speech problems or learning to walk or talk again or whatever. In a way I have more hope of release from this prison than a lot of our members like John have of ever getting released from theirs. I just feel so hurt and angry sometimes because I was put here by someone I loved and was trying to help. I was stupid and vulnerable enough to let him and his sister who he hadn't seen in 15 years (and only contacted because I practically forced him to) back into my home. Then I couldn't remember straight in court and fell even more stupid and vulnerable. I'm afraid to even use the library here because if you forget a book and its overdue they put you in lock down and take away your good time you've earned. There's no such thing as I'm sorry I forgot in here. This is definitely not a head injury friendly environment. You don't know really who you can trust and who you can't or if a certain guard is going to be in a bad mood and write you up or what. The health care sucks also. Since I've been in here they told me that I've got pre cancer or dysplasia of the cervix. What a cold scary place to have to hear something like that. I don't even know whether or not to believe them because they are also trying to tell me I'm anemic.
I've donated plasma twice a week for 18 months every week and never been anemic before and suddenly I stop donating in February and become anemic! I don't know whether to believe them and cry or not believe them and worry why they can't find the cause of my chest pains I keep having. They've given other girls wrong diagnosis in here also. It's like they just want to experiment on us because we're locked up and are states property. Please pray for me! I'm confused and alone yet I am so grateful for all my friends. It felt so good to see all of you sitting out there at court for me. Can you come to the new hearing for me? I'm sure after I'm out for a while I'll have some soul purging poetry for our future art pieces but right now I'm all tied up in knots inside. If this is drawing isn't your style just stick it in a drawer and save it for me. I was hoping you could improve upon it and paint some version of it to make you some money. If you can go ahead. I haven't forgotten the $7.00 I owe you and thanks again. I can't seem to draw hands very well. The bars and bucks are easy. By the way it doesn't really look like that here. There's only bars in one place near the kitchen. Our doors are solid metal with a window with wire inside the glass. The inside walls are cinderblock but the outside walls must be concrete with river rock pressed into it. The outside windows are real narrow. About a foot wide and four feet tall with metal supports (kind of like bars) running horizontally and the frame and supports are painted a maroon like red. The main part of the prison is reall old and almost looks like army barracks.
Then the newer modules as their called are like trailers on foundations. My room is a little layer han some of the tractor trailer cabs I've been in and I have a room mate. Luckily she's very nice and easy to get a long with. It's funny how your life that's gone before can prepare you for what's in store in the present and future, I just tell myself this is like the years I spent running sleeper team in a truck except that it doesn't go anywhere and I don't get payed. It's usually not as noisey here as it was in the County Jail but it's so far away and no one but my attorney has visited. It looks like I'll be stuck here for Easter unless a miracle occurs. I miss my dog and my friends so much.
How was your trip to Ohio? I wish I could have stowed away in your suitcase. What part of Ohio did you go to? I've been to and through Ohio when I was driving truck and parts of it are really neat.
Please tell Vicki to send me her address or will you send it to me so I can add her to my phone list in case I need her to take care of Rosie (my dog) for me. I really miss being able to just pick up the phone and call who I want without needing their address for my phone list and their birth date for my visitors list. I look forward to hearing from you and all about your trip. Could you send me some literature on "Growing Through It" so I can tell the other girls and the court & attorney more about your help group and art work? You've really been a God send in the short time we've met. Thanks for being there to lean on in my time of need. Take Care and God Bless You,
Lynn
PS
I've enclosed a letter to Turtle in here I don't have his address. Could you see to it that he get it please?